Staining question

[dnath]

I am thinking about using an oil based stain made by Minwax. More than likely one of the darker wood finishes like ebony or walnut. I'm wondering do people use a pre-stain wood conditioner before applying the stain?

In this picture, on the left is a piece that had the pre-stain applied followed by the oil based stain. On the right the stain was applied directly. Both pieces are alder and were sanded smooth prior to conditioner/stain and stain respectively.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1272.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy385%2Fdranalogue%2Fstain.png&hash=e3b8e7ca8475c4b5c7116545c93c50c67a2a7f71)

Personally I think there is some character to the piece on the right and it's the knot that is throwing it off more than anything.

I have not heard back from the person that created this one, but looking at the way the stain is a bit dark in the right it looks like no conditioner was used? I think this example looks lovely.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1272.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy385%2Fdranalogue%2Ffpanelb.jpg&hash=9a15259ce986749442712eb632ff698c447e1784)

I'm interested to hear your thoughts 

[Mike B]

I have used Minwax oil stain on lots of stuff.  Latest not a month ago.  This is one coat of ebony on pine with a couple coats of polyurethane over it.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.staticflickr.com%2F2883%2F9226316298_083e4e87d9_o.jpg&hash=4c58ee83ee45dc44cb607a86adf924150df1d336)

I never use pre stain or sealer.

[wullymc]

From Miniwax website:

 "Some hardwoods, such as alder or aspen, are porous and tend to absorb stain unevenly. "

I would treat the wood  to get an even coverage.  I know the other woods that need some treatment before staining are Pine, Poplar, Maple.

Good luck and make sure to post some images after.

[kgoss]

If you want an even shade (not blotchy) on the wood a sanding sealer really helps. This is especially true for wood that has both open and tight grain like cherry or oak. The open grain will absorb more stain and will be darker. I like a thin shellac - Zinsser Bulls Eye SealCoat - as a first coat. But if you prefer the darker areas and think it makes the piece more interesting then just stain the bare wood. The only person you need to please is yourself.

Ken

[Mike B]

Yup, that's why I do it that way, I like the enhanced contrast.